Week 26: Spring Mornings

I thought it might be nice to have a non-pregnancy related post this week, so I’m dedicating this post to the stupid amount of money I just spent at Sephora and Nordstrom and what my mornings typically look like. Although it may not feel like it in Chicago yet, spring and summer are upon us. When the seasons change I like to change up my make up; winter calls for heavy moisturizer and darker eye makeup. So for spring, I opt for more lightweight options. Here’s my morning mess.

Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water

This one is new to me, but I love it. It can be used as both a primer and a setting spray, or you can spritz it to refresh your makeup through out the day.

Concealer: Cover Girl True Blend W1

Highlighter: Benefit High Beam

This is another favorite. If you’re ever feeling ‘bleh’ about your skin, a couple drops of this guy on the apples of your cheeks will brighten you right up.

Bronzer: Benefit Hoola

Powder: Benefit Get Even

Blush: Milani in Rose Petal

Brow Gel: Benefit Gimme Brow

Eyeshadow: Smashbox Headshot Trio

Mascara: Urban Decay Big Fatty

Lips: Benefit Benetint (sometimes I use this on my cheeks as well)

So that’s the lineup. Mind you, this only makes it on my face when I have time in the morning, which has been less frequently lately as I’d much rather sleep until the last possible moment before leaving for work. If I only have a few minutes, I opt for Benetint on my cheeks and lips, mascara, and brow gel. Luckily on this particular day, Chris was able to give me a ride to the office, so I didn’t have to hustle to the train.

Now out the door with another pretty thing I gifted myself back on my birthday….

I had a rare hour to spare this past weekend for a summery no-chip…

and I always have a watch on…this one is a Daniel Wellington that my wonderful boyfriend gave me for Christmas. Bracelet is actually a perfumed piece by Lisa Hoffman that I received as a work perk 😉 

(Not late for work…yet)

Stay Gold,

Grace

Week 18: Flowers and Fruit

I’ve made it! A full week without morning sickness! Thankfully I’m feeling more like my normal self and have actually had the energy to do things! We’re trying to manifest spring at our house, so flowers and fruit have been abundant.

Chris got me the HUGEST lilies I’ve ever seen for our 1 year anniversary 🙂

Our Cribs level fruit bowl.

Detox water of watermelon, lemon, cucumber, and mint. Strain, and serve on ice! You can get a couple uses with the same fruit, just refill with filtered water.

The apartment is looking bright enough to remind us we’re still in our winter coats with April starting in a couple days.

And Chris has been buying me little presents that make my heart sing 🙂

Scout (and my bump) are getting bigger every day,

Thanks to snacks like this…

Brown Cow Creamery in Forest Park ❤

Only one more week until we know whether our little is a boy or a girl. I can’t wait!!!

Stay tuned for more updates 🙂

Stay Gold,

Grace

Birthday Eve

So, tis the night before my 24th year. 2013 was completely full of astonishingly weird, awesome, and amazing times. I’m so excited to make 24 the best year yet, complete with my brand new ukelele, a present from a very …

Birthday Week Shopping Spree

So I’ve always been a sucker for birthdays, especially when the birthday is my own! So, as my birthday is on Friday, I hit the shops to find an outfit to wear to the lovely dinner I’m being treated to 🙂

Of course, knowing me, I bought just about everything BUT a party dress. First stop: Topshop. 

You all know how I feel about gold…and a necklace with a G on it seemed fitting enough 🙂 Today I am wearing it as a bracelet, which I couldn’t be more pleased with. 

And my favorite purchase of the day, this blush colored leather backpack. In the summer I’m all about backpacks as I’m usually on my bike and need my hands free. 

 

Find this awesome backpack in blush or white HERE

My shopping big had yet to be cured, so I walked across the street to Water Tower Place to take on the shops. I made out with a pretty solid birthday haul…but no party dress. Here is what I did manage to snatch up!

Adorable mint flats, perfect for spring.

 

Adorable Fossil wristlet, perfect forever!

Get your own Sydney Zip Clutch in Mint HERE

 

Well I may not have found my party dress, but hey, there’s always tomorrow 🙂

 

Stay Gold

Spring Is Coming: Songs To Get You There

Long time no blog, I know I know. I’m currently working on a new blog (stay tuned) and have not had enough hours in the day! Please accept this post as an apology 🙂

So, the general consensus in Chicago is that this has been the COLDEST winter of all time. Take a minute to thaw out with some of these fun and hopeful spring tunes! No descriptions needed, just open the windows, turn up the volume, and give spring the welcome it deserves. 

 

1. Fleet Foxes: Ragged Wood 

2. Bruno Mars: Young Girls 

3. Lupe Fiasco: Kick, Push

4. The Shins: Australia 

5. Lorde: White Teeth Teens

6. Childish Gambino: 3005

7. Frank Sinatra: You Make Me Feel So Young

8. Pharrell Williams: It Girl

9. The Zombies: Time of the Season

10. Atmosphere: Sunshine

Enjoy, all. What are some of your favorite songs that get you pumped for sun and warm weather? Feel free to share! I know I’ll be needing some new feel-good tunes while out on the bike 🙂

Stay Gold,

 

Spring Cleaning: Room Redo

So I have been beyond busy the past couple weeks; spring break ended, finals began, I turned 23, and our city experienced one of the worst floods in history! Amongst all this craziness, my bedroom at my parents’ suburban house (my hideout when I need to study, finish projects, or just escape the city for the weekend) had fallen into a state of catastrophe…

Yikes.

Double Yikes

I don’t know about you, but when my room is a mess, my life is a mess. So I spent my Saturday afternoon getting my things in order for some hardcore spring cleaning. I have a very hectic few weeks coming up with finals and graduation so I will be spending a lot of time in the suburbs (free food/wifi/parental guidance) to eliminate the many distractions of the city. It took the whole afternoon/evening but I am pleased with how things turned out!

Much better

I did some rearranging to create more space for projects and yoga (when I don’t feel like making the trip to the gym.) A few years ago I ripped up the carpet and painted the floor as I am notorious for making a mess while working (and I’m kind of a slob) , so I mopped, dusted, and sanitized every surface I could find while moving my furniture around to reach the disgusting spots that haven’t seen the sun in months. After getting everything in place I started organizing my space for maximum productivity and minimum distraction.

Nothing better than clean sheets and a made bed.

My made-over bedside table with only the essentials.

A well-lit room gives me more energy to get work done.

My favorite piece.

Side note: The pink sectional above is one of my absolute favorite possessions. I found it (literally) on the side of the road outside of one of the larger houses in my neighborhood. I called my brother and together we carried it several blocks to my house. Its a 1970’s style sectional piece (probably from a set) and it is upholstered in a thick pink material adorned with buttons and gems. Wherever I end up in life, this chair will be coming with me.

My books are my babies…

I already feel so much better. There’s something about living in a clean and organized space that motivates me, boosts my productivity, and even helps me sleep better. I highly suggest taking a look at your living space; eliminate clutter and dust those shelves and I promise you’ll feel better about difficult tasks coming up in life. Now, after all this cleaning and rearranging, I’m kicking my feet up and watching some much deserved (and totally mindless) TV.

Time to kick back.

Gabby is exhausted too 🙂

Signing off,

Grace is Gold